Regional Cooperation and Integration in Central Asia: An Indian Perspective

An international conference ‘Central Asia in Modern International Relations: Opportunities for Stability and Development’ was organized by Tashkent State Oriental Studies University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In this conference, 17 scholars from different countries presented their views on the changing geopolitical and economic scenario of Central Asia. From India, Prof. Ramakant Dwivedi, Head of MERI, CIS and Director of India Central Asia Foundation (ICAF), New Delhi presented on the topic ‘Regional Cooperation and Integration in Central Asia: An Indian Perspective’. Prof. Dwivedi laid special emphasis on the richness of natural resources of Central Asia and its strategic geographical location. He also pointed out that India has had historical and cultural ties with the region since ancient times. He divided the process of regional integration in Central Asia into three phases.